BR112018074474B1 - WINDING DEVICE TO FACILITATE THE WINDING OF A CABLE ON A DRUM WINCH OF A POWER POINT, CRANE AND VESSEL ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a winding device (200) for facilitating the winding of a wire (99, 99', 99") on a drum winch (300) of a feed point (fp). winding (200) comprises: a structure (230) and a suspension cradle (210) mounted on the mechanical structure (230). The suspension cradle (210) comprises a rotating cable pulley (215) for receiving the cable (99, 99', 99"), and to guide the cable (99, 99', 99") to a specific location on the drum winch (300). The suspension cradle (210) with the cable sheave (215) is mounted in a sliding manner on the structure (230) according to a curved path (cp). The curved path (cp) is chosen such that a fleet angle (fa) of the cable (99, 99', 99") from the point (fp) is at least partially compensated so as to reduce the effects of cable fraying (99, 99', 99") on the cable pulley (215) during sliding movement of the cable pulley (215) in operational use of the winding device (200).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention relates to a winding device to facilitate winding a wire on a drum winch of a feeding point. The invention also relates to a crane assembly comprising such a winding device, and to a vessel comprising such a crane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] There are many application fields where drum winches are to be wound and uncoiled in order to effect a translation of a certain object. Examples of such fields of application are lifting applications using cranes both onshore and offshore, i.e. in the petrochemical industry and marine industry. A general problem with winch systems is that for efficient winding, a winding device or system is needed to facilitate the feeding of the respective wire or cable in a controlled manner. Expressed differently, the winding device or system has to ensure that the wire or cable is fed in an alternating manner, such that the wire or cable correctly forms a single pile on the drum winch. The winding device is typically provided next to the drum winch in the path of the wire or cable being spooled onto the drum winch.

[003] A known problem that the winding device has to overcome or tolerate is that the wire or cable is typically fed from a point, which in combination with the reciprocating movement of the winding device results in a variable fleet angle of the cable that is fed to the winding device. Fleet angle is a term that is well known in the technical field of drum winches. The winding device typically comprises a sheave, which on one side receives the cable or cable from the feed point and, on the other side, feeds the wire or cable to the drum winch, on which the sheave is translated or pivoted to form the alternative movement.

[004] In the prior art, different solutions were reported, which address the fleet angle problem.

[005] EP 2,933,220A1 describes a fleet angle tolerant sheave including a body portion with a circular circumference, and defining a central plane, a hole extending through the body portion and configured to receive an axle, and allowing the body portion to rotate in the central plane. The pulley further comprises a cable groove disposed on the circular circumference including a spoked bottom having a first end and a second end, and a pair of opposing side walls, each extending directly and tangentially from one of the first and second ends, and having a curved profile.

[006] US 3,589,642 describes an apparatus for use in controlling the fleet angle of a cable being wound onto a drum. The apparatus includes first and second pulleys for directing the cable to the drum, said pulleys being mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, which is perpendicular to a plane containing the axis of rotation of the drum. The apparatus further includes means for mounting said pulleys in such a way that forces due to cable tension cause at least one of said pulleys and said pivot axis to rest on a common plane and the elevation of said one pulley with respect to the said pivot axis for the determined fleet angle of the cable with respect to the drum.

[007] US 4,015,798 describes an articulated frame assembly, which is guided back and forth through a drum winch by an interconnected double diamond drive screw. Swivel pulleys on a frame assembly feed the cable, or a hydrophone array in such a way as not to create crushing stresses in the cable, or side loading forces during deployment and retrieval. Due to the physical deposition of the frame and sheaves in relation to the drum winch and their mechanical co-action with other related structural elements, the fleet sheave is closer than current units so the overall structure is more compact.

[008] Document EP1,726,559A1 describes a cable guide device, particularly for a winch comprising a drum on which it is possible to selectively wind and unwind a cable. The device comprises an elongated guide having a curved profile in a plan view which lies, during use, in a plane which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, and to which a slider is slidingly associated. The slide rotatably supports a pulley with which the cable is associable. The guide can be placed above the winch drum and approximately parallel to it.

[009] US 2,473,628 discloses a different cable control device for winding a drum.

[0010] Document US 4,778,121 discloses a different guide system for a winch drum.

[0011] As is made obvious in the above discussion, Prior Art Solutions focus on creating, or fleet angle tolerances, minimizing the fleet angle in winding systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the problems of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

[0013] The object is achieved through characteristics that are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

[0014] The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0015] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a winding device to facilitate the winding of a cable on a drum winch of a feed point. The winding device comprises: a frame and a frame-mounted suspension cradle, wherein the suspension cradle comprises a rotating cable sheave for receiving the cable, and for guiding the cable to a specific location on the drum winch. The suspension cradle with the cable sheave is mounted in a sliding manner close to the structure according to a curved path, in which the curved path is chosen such that a cable fleet angle coming from the feed point is at least partially compensated in order to reduce rope fraying effects on the rope sheave during sliding movement of the rope sheave in operational use of the winding device.

[0016] The effects of the winding device according to the invention are as follows. First of all, the suspension cradle with the cable pulley is mounted in a sliding manner on the frame (for which many implementations are possible), according to a curved path. In addition, this curved path is chosen such that the cable fleet angle from the feedpoint is at least partially compensated to reduce the effects of cable fraying on the cable sheave during sliding movement of the cable sheave. This partial compensation of the fleet angle means that the angle between the cable and the curved path is kept close to 90 degrees, i.e. the curved path is chosen such that the cable that travels from the feed point remains substantially perpendicular to the curved path. independent of fleet angle. Another way of saying it is that the cable sheave is kept more in plane with the cable during the reciprocating movement of the suspension cradle.

[0017] Essential to the invention is that the cable pulley is mounted in a sliding manner. This is in stark contrast to prior art solutions, which may use a cable pulley that is mounted on a pivoting arm. The advantage of the solution of the present invention over this solution is enormous, particularly when the feed point is located further away from the winding device. In case of a large distance between the feed point and the winding device, the pivot arm also needs to be very long (or very complex structures are needed). In the winding device according to the present invention, such an articulated arm is completely dispensed with, making the solution much more compact and less complex.

[0018] For a correct understanding of the invention, the term "power point" needs some definition. With feed point, a place is indicated where the cable is fed from when moving to and from the winding device (and eventually the drum winch). In practice, this coincides with a location along the circumference of a pulley. Even though it is called a "point", this does not mean that it is literally a fixed point in space. In the case that a pulley is used to feed the cable, this point effectively moves along the circumference of the pulley when the fleet angle changes.

[0019] In one embodiment of the winding device, according to the invention, the curved path is defined such that the fleet angle is substantially compensated over the full course of the cable sheave in which the cable remains substantially in plane with the cable pulley during the sliding movement of the cable pulley in operational use of the winding device. This embodiment further improves the inventive idea by ensuring full substantial compensation for the fleet angle over the full travel of the suspension cradle and sheave.

[0020] In one embodiment of the winding device, according to the invention, the curved path is along a full course of the cable pulley, a substantially circular path having its center coinciding with the feeding point in operational use of the device winding. This mode forms a convenient way to compensate the fleet angle over the full course. In an alternative embodiment, the curved path can be adapted somewhat to compensate for the non-static behavior of the feedpoint.

[0021] In one embodiment of the winding device, according to the invention, the suspension cradle is mounted on the structure, via a first impulse beam, in which the first impulse beam comprises a curved rail on which the suspension cradle it is mounted in the sliding way. The provision of an impulse beam having a curved track forms a very convenient implementation to ensure the chosen curved path compensates for the fleet angle.

[0022] In one embodiment of the winding device, according to the invention, the suspension cradle is additionally mounted on the structure, via a second impulse beam displaced from the first impulse beam, in which the second impulse beam comprises a second curved rail on which the suspension cradle is mounted in a sliding manner. The provision of a second impulse beam provides a more stable mechanical construction. Both thrust beams have to be configured and placed such that they both facilitate movement of the suspension cradle according to the chosen curved path.

[0023] One embodiment of the winding device, according to the invention, additionally comprises an energized drive mechanism, such as a hydraulic cylinder, mounted on the structure, the energized drive mechanism being coupled to the suspension cradle for actuating the cradle suspension for controlling a position of the suspension cradle on said rail or rails. The suspension cradle is conveniently actuated by means of the energized actuation mechanism in this mode.

[0024] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a crane assembly comprising a crane and a drum winch for cooperation with the crane. The crane assembly additionally comprises the winding device according to the invention. The winding device is placed between the crane and the drum winch to facilitate cable winding on the drum winch. This embodiment forms an important application of the invention.

[0025] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a vessel comprising the crane assembly according to the invention. The crane assembly according to the invention can conveniently be placed on a floating vessel or on a rig.

[0026] In one embodiment of the vessel according to the invention, the crane is placed on a deck of the vessel, in which the drum winch is placed under the deck, and in which the winding device is placed under the deck. This modality ensures a convenient placement of the respective parts in the vessel.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] An example of an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings is described below, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a crane assembly according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 2 describes an embodiment of the winding device according to the invention;

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates the operation of the winding device of Figure 2 in a perspective view;

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the winding device of Figure 2, but as seen from a different perspective;

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates some other details of the winding device of Figure 2 in operational use;

[0033] Figure 6 also illustrates some details of the winding device of Figure 2 in a side view,

[0034] Figure 7 illustrates the winding device of Figure 2 in a central position;

[0035] Figure 8 illustrates the winding device of Figure 2 in a first extreme position, and

[0036] Figure 9 illustrates the winding device of Figure 2 in a second extreme position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MODALITIES

[0037] The following description of an embodiment of the winding device will be discussed and particularly concerning its application to a crane on the vessel. However, the invention is not limited to these examples, and can be applied in any winch application, which makes use of a winding device.

[0038] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a crane assembly according to the invention.

[0039] The crane mount is for use on a vessel (not shown). The crane assembly comprises a crane 100, a winding device 200, and a drum winch 300, as shown. This embodiment of the crane 100 comprises a crane pedestal 110 with the articulated crane 160 as shown, but the invention applies to virtually any type of crane. A cable 99 travels from a crane main sheave 150 to the crane 100 below the winding device 200 and then to the drum winch 300. The winding device 200 according to the invention is particularly advantageous when the pedestal of the crane 110 is long, i.e. when there is a large distance between the crane main sheave 150 and the spooling device 200. The spooling device 200 may be located below a main deck of the vessel, mounted on the front of the crane winch. drum 300, and centered on crane pedestal 110.

[0040] Figure 2 describes an embodiment of the winding device 200 according to the invention. As shown in Figure 2, the winding device 200 comprises a guide frame 230 mounted on a hull foundation 250 attached to the vessel's deck (not shown). In guide structure 230 comprises a first (curved) pulse beam 220a and a second (curved) pulse beam 220b, as shown. One of these impulse beams 220a, 220b is slidably mounted on a suspension cradle 210 with a cable sheave 215. The suspension cradle 210 is actuated by an energized drive mechanism (here it is a hydraulic cylinder, but could be many other types). of actuators) 240. The hydraulic cylinder 240 comprises a piston rod 241 which is connected to the suspension cradle 210. To initiate the sliding of the suspension cradle 210 over the thrust beams 220a, 220b, each of said thrust beams 220a, 220b is formed with a rail 220a1, 220b1 cooperating with the suspension cradle 210. Said rails 220a1, 220b1 are curved to facilitate movement of the suspension cradle 210 along a curved path, as will be further explained with reference to other figures.

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates the operation of the winding device of Figure 2 in a perspective view. In this drawing three different positions of the suspension cradle are shown in one. Cable 99 has also been removed for each of these three positions. Cable 99, 99', 99" travels from the crane main sheave 150 towards the spooling device. When suspension cradle 210 is moved from left to right along its tracks, cable 99, 99 ', 99" effectively "hinges" around an fp feed point as illustrated. The fleet angle is defined with respect to the vertical position of the cable 99, 99', 99" and thus varies between a first maximum fleet angle mfa and a second maximum fleet angle mfa' as illustrated. there is a central position P2 of the cable 99, in which the fleet angle is zero, that is, where the suspension cradle 210 and cable pulley 215 are located straight below the feed point fp as illustrated. Then there is the first position extreme P1 of the suspension cradle 210, in which the cable is indicated with the reference numeral 99'. Finally, there is the second extreme position P3 of the suspension cradle 210, in which the cable is indicated with the reference numeral 99".

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the winding device of Figure 2, but as seen from a different perspective. This figure serves to illustrate the curved trajectory cp as mentioned in the claims. It can be seen from the figure that the curved path cp follows a circle with its center located at the feed point fp. It is also shown in the figure that the cable crosses this curved path cp perpendicularly regardless of the fleet angle fa. The winding device 200, together with the drum winch 300, ensures precise winding of the cable on the drum winch 300, and results in minimal wear on the cable 99 and said pulleys 150 (Figure 1), 215 and does not (or negligible) lateral forces on the cable pulley 215 due to the curved orientation of the cable pulley 215. There will be no (or a negligible) fleet angle between the cable 99 coming from the drum winch 300 and the point at which it meets the cable pulley 215 from the winding device 200. In addition, there will be no (or a negligible) fleet angle between the cable 99 coming from the fp feed and to the cable sheave 215 (Figure 1).

[0043] Figure 5 illustrates some other details of the winding device of Figure 2 in operational use. Figure 6 further illustrates some other details of the winding device of Figure 2 in a side view. In operational use of the winding device 200, the resulting force from the cable 99 will be distributed, via the cable wheel 215, the suspension cradle 210, the thrust beams 220a, 220b, the guide frame 230, to the foundation of the hull 250. Lateral force from the hydraulic cylinder 240 will not cause any tilting force on the suspension cradle 210 due to the in-line position of the hydraulic cylinder 240 with the sliding faces of the thrust beams (lever arm). Figure 6 illustrates this better.

[0044] Figure 7 illustrates the winding device of Fig, 2 in a central position P2. Figure 8 illustrates the winding device of Figure 2 in the second extreme position P3. Hydraulic cylinder 240 is fully retracted in this position. Figure 9 illustrates the winding device of Figure 2 in the first extreme position P1. Hydraulic cylinder 240 is fully engaged in this position. All relevant parts have been discussed in relation to the other figures.

[0045] In the description of the figures, it was illustrated how the suspension cradle 210 with the cable pulley 215 is driven parallel to the rotation of the drum winch axis by the energized drive mechanism (that is, hydraulic cylinder) 240. To avoid any fleet angle of the unwanted wire rope, the suspension cradle 210 is arranged to move in a pendulum with the crane sheave type 150 as the center. Due to this arrangement, the cable pulley 215 is not subjected to any lateral forces. Furthermore, due to the fact that the wire 99 is held in line with the cable pulley 215, the service life of the wire (generally made of steel) is increased. Powered drive mechanism 240 is preferably located in line with the center of impulse beams 220a, 220b in order to avoid tipping forces on suspension cradle 210.

[0046] It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to determine many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses must not be construed as limiting the claims. The use of the verb "understands" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those cited in a claim. The article "a" or "a" precedes that an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. In the device claim that enumerates several means, several of these means can be realized by one and the same item of hardware.

Claims (7)

1. Winding device (200) to facilitate the winding of a cable (99, 99', 99") on a drum winch (300) of a feed point (fp), where the winding device ( 200) comprises: a frame (230), and a suspension cradle (210) mounted on the frame (230), wherein the suspension cradle (210) comprises a rotating cable pulley (215) for receiving the cable (99, 99', 99"), and to guide the cable (99, 99', 99") to a specific location on the drum winch (300) on which the suspension cradle (210) with the cable sheave (215) is mounted in a sliding manner to the frame (230) according to a curved path (cp), characterized in that the curved path (cp) is chosen such that a fleet angle (fa) of the cable (99, 99 ', 99") from the feed point (fp) is compensated in order to reduce the effects of rope fraying (99, 99', 99") on the rope sheave (215) during sliding movement of the rope sheave (215 ) in operational use of the winding device (200), wherein the curved trajectory (cp) is defined such that the fleet angle (fa) is compensated over the full course of the cable pulley (215) on which the cable ( 99, 99', 99") remains in plane with the cable pulley (215) during the sliding movement of the cable pulley (215) in operational use of the winding device (200), in which the curved trajectory (cp) is , along a full course of the cable pulley (215), a circular path having its center coinciding with the feed point (fp) in the operational use of the winding device (200), where the cable (99, 99' , 99") traverses this curved path (cp) perpendicularly regardless of the fleet angle (fa). 2. Winding device (200), according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension cradle (210) is mounted on the structure (230), via a first impulse beam (220a), in which the first thrust beam (220a) comprises a curved rail (220a1) on which the suspension cradle (210) is mounted in sliding manner. 3. Winding device (200), according to claim 2, characterized in that the suspension cradle (21) is additionally mounted on the structure (230), via a second impulse beam (220b) displaced from the first impulse beam (220b), in which the second impulse beam (220b) comprises a second curved rail (220b1) on which the suspension cradle (210) is mounted in sliding manner. 4. Winding device (200), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises an energized drive mechanism (240), such as a hydraulic cylinder, mounted on the structure (230) , the energized drive mechanism (240) being coupled to the suspension cradle (210) to actuate the suspension cradle (210) to control a position of the suspension cradle (210) on said rail or rails (220a1, 220b1). 5. Crane assembly characterized in that it comprises a crane (100) and a tamper winch (300) for cooperating with the crane (100), the crane assembly further comprising the winding device (200) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the winding device (200) is placed between the crane (100) and the drum winch (300) to facilitate the winding of the cable (99, 99', 99") on the winch of the drum drum (300). 6. Vessel characterized by the fact that it comprises the crane assembly as defined in claim 5. 7. Vessel, according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that the crane (100) is placed on a deck of the vessel, in which the drum winch (300) is placed under the deck, and in which the winding device (200) is placed under the deck.

Images